Chapter 3: The Accident Wasn't an Accident
I couldn't breathe.
For a moment, the dressing room seemed to tilt around me.
Lily's words echoed in my head.
She said if I got hurt, the judge would make you give me to her.
I looked at Vanessa.
She was standing beside the makeup table, her wedding dress spread around her feet like a white curtain.
"Tell me she's lying," I said.
Vanessa shook her head quickly.
"Michael, she's confused.""
"Then explain what happened on the stairs.""
"She fell.""
"Why?""
"Because she wasn't paying attention!""
Lily began shaking.
I rubbed her back gently.
"You're safe, sweetheart. Take your time.""
Vanessa took a step forward.
"Michael, you know how children are. They misunderstand things. They invent stories when they're frightened.""
I stared at her.
"Did you tell my daughter to stand near the top of the stairs?""
"No.""
"Did you push her?""
"Absolutely not!""
James interrupted.
"Michael, this is ridiculous. You're allowing a six-year-old to dictate what happens to your entire future.""
I turned toward him.
"She's my daughter.""
"And I'm your brother!""
"Then act like one!""
James clenched his jaw.
For the first time, I saw the man behind the polished suits and expensive watches.
He wasn't concerned about Lily.
He wasn't even trying to comfort her.
He was calculating.
How much did she know?
What had she heard?
And how much evidence had I already found?
I reached into my pocket and pulled out my own phone.
I called Daniel Brooks, my attorney.
He answered on the second ring.
"Michael? You're supposed to be getting married right now.""
"Daniel, I need you at the estate immediately.""
His voice changed.
"What's happened?""
"My fiancée and my brother have been working together to transfer my properties and take control of my daughter's trust.""
There was a brief silence.
Then Daniel said, "Don't sign anything. Don't hand over any devices. And don't let either of them leave with documents.""
"I also need you to contact the police.""
"What happened?""
I looked at Lily's injured leg.
"My daughter says Vanessa deliberately caused her accident.""
Daniel didn't ask another question.
"I'm coming.""
I ended the call.
Vanessa stared at me.
"You're calling the police?""
"Yes.""
"Michael, think about what you're doing!""
"I am.""
She began pacing.
"You're going to ruin my life over something a child said?""
I looked at her.
"You ruined your own life when you put your hands on her.""
James moved toward the door.
I noticed immediately.
"Where are you going?""
He stopped.
"To get some air.""
"No.""
His face tightened.
"Excuse me?""
"You're staying here.""
"You can't keep me here.""
"I'm not trying to arrest you, James. I'm asking you not to make this worse.""
He laughed bitterly.
"You're making a huge mistake.""
I looked at the phone.
"Maybe. But I'm not signing anything today.""
Vanessa suddenly grabbed the black handbag from the table.
I stepped toward her.
"Put it down.""
She clutched it against her chest.
"Those are my personal belongings!""
"Then you won't mind the police looking at them.""
Her eyes flickered toward James.
It was a tiny movement.
But I saw it.
James slowly reached into his jacket.
"Michael, there's something you need to understand. The business is already in trouble.""
I stared at him.
"What?""
He exhaled.
"For months, we've been dealing with financial problems. Several investors are threatening legal action. I was trying to protect the company.""
"By forging my signature?""
"By keeping the company alive!""
"Where did the money go?""
James looked away.
I stepped closer.
"How much?""
He didn't answer.
Vanessa suddenly spoke.
"James, don't.""
I turned toward her.
"Don't what?""
She swallowed.
"Nothing.""
But her reaction told me more than her words.
James had taken money.
And Vanessa knew exactly where it had gone.
Before I could question them further, the door opened.
Daniel rushed inside, carrying his briefcase.
He was followed by two estate security officers.
Daniel looked at Lily first.
"Michael, is she hurt?""
"Her leg is swollen. Vanessa was pressing on it.""
Daniel's expression darkened.
"She needs medical attention immediately.""
One security officer stepped toward Vanessa.
"Ma'am, please remain where you are.""
Vanessa threw her handbag onto the table.
"This is unbelievable! I'm the bride!""
Daniel opened his briefcase.
"Not anymore.""
He examined the documents on the table and photographed the phone screen.
When he reached the guardianship application, his expression changed.
"Michael, where did you get this?""
"Vanessa's phone.""
Daniel studied the document.
"Have you ever signed anything authorizing this application?""
"Never.""
He looked at the scanned signature.
"This appears to be a serious forgery.""
James shook his head.
"You don't know what you're talking about.""
Daniel looked up.
"Then I'm sure you'll have no objection to an independent forensic examination.""
James said nothing.
A few minutes later, an ambulance was called to check Lily's injury.
As one of the officers helped prepare her for transport, she reached for my hand.
"Daddy, are you coming?""
I kissed her forehead.
"Everywhere, sweetheart.""
Vanessa watched us.
For a brief moment, her expression seemed almost human.
Then she spoke.
"Michael, before you make another decision, you should know something about Emily.""
I froze.
"What about my wife?""
Vanessa glanced at James.
He immediately shook his head.
"Don't.""
But Vanessa continued.
"Your wife knew about the financial problems before she died.""
I felt the air leave my lungs.
"That's impossible.""
"She knew James had been moving money.""
James stepped toward her.
"Shut your mouth!""
Daniel raised a hand.
"Nobody moves.""
I looked at Vanessa.
"Why would Emily know anything about James's business dealings?""
Vanessa gave a small, bitter laugh.
"Because she found the original records.""
My heart pounded.
"What records?""
"The ones proving James had been stealing from your company for years.""
I turned toward my brother.
He was pale.
But he wasn't looking at me.
He was looking at Vanessa.
I stepped closer.
"Where are those records?""
Vanessa slowly reached into her handbag and removed a small silver key.
"Emily hid them somewhere safe," she said.
"James has been searching for them ever since.""
Daniel took the key from her.
"Where does this belong?""
Vanessa looked directly at me.
"Your wife's old wooden box.""
I remembered Lily saying James had taken papers from it.
I thought about the documents missing from Emily's belongings.
Then I looked at my brother.
"What's inside that box, James?""
He didn't answer.
Instead, he stared at the silver key in Daniel's hand.
And for the first time since I had known him, my older brother looked genuinely terrified.
May you like
Then Vanessa leaned toward me and whispered:
"There's one more thing you should know, Michael. Emily didn't die without leaving you a message.""
